Amazin' Daily Briefing

Amazin' Daily Briefing: February 11th, 2025

The New York Mets kick off spring training with exciting developments, including a likely six-man rotation, tech-driven pitching strategies, and big claims about having the best lineup in baseball.

Mets Kick Off Spring Training with Big Expectations and Bold Predictions

The Mets are back in action! Day one of spring training for pitchers and catchers has officially begun in Port St. Lucie, and there's already plenty of buzz surrounding the team. With pitchers hitting the bullpen early and new strategies in play, this season promises to be one to watch.

One of the biggest storylines is the likely use of a six-man rotation—a strategy that could help the Mets manage workload and maximize performance. Among those embracing this approach is Griffin Canning, a new addition to New York’s pitching staff. Canning, who struggled with a 5+ ERA last season in Anaheim, is looking forward to unlocking his potential with the Mets’ advanced pitching technology. He spoke highly of the team’s pitching lab, something he didn’t have access to with the Angels, and hopes it will bring improvement to his game.

Meanwhile, catcher Francisco Alvarez made an audacious claim—he believes the Mets have the best lineup in baseball. His confidence is understandable given the return of Pete Alonso and the addition of Juan Soto, two major offensive powerhouses. While time will tell if the Mets truly boast the number one lineup, there's no doubt that expectations are sky-high.

Reliever Ryan Stanek also made headlines during his media session as he discussed his decision to re-sign with the team. He shared his admiration for Clay Holmes, a reliever attempting to transition into a starting pitcher. Stanek described Holmes as looking like a “tight end” and said if anyone can successfully make that leap, it’s him.

It’s only day one of camp, but the Mets are already generating serious excitement. With a blend of technology-driven improvements, bold player confidence, and innovative pitching strategies, the 2025 season could be a fascinating one for New York’s baseball faithful.

Keep up with all the latest Mets news on Shea Scoop!

Feb. 12: Mets pitchers and catchers participate in first official spring training workout

Feb. 17: Mets' first official full-squad workout

Feb. 22: Mets' first Grapefruit League game, 1 p.m. vs. Astros at Clover Park

March 16: Spring Breakout Prospect Game, 5:05 p.m. vs. Nationals, Palm Beach, Fla.

March 24: Mets' final spring training game, 1:10 p.m. vs. Yankees at Clover Park

On This Day in Mets History

Born on This Date:

Tom Veryzer (1953)
Steve Springer (1961)
Brian Daubach (1972)

Notable Transactions:

1981: New York Mets traded Stan Hough and Randy Rogers to the Houston Astros for Bruce Bochy.
2003: New York Mets signed free agent Jay Bell.
2004: New York Mets signed free agent Ricky Bottalico.
2008: New York Mets signed free agent Tony Armas (previously with the Pittsburgh Pirates).
2010: New York Mets signed free agents Hisanori Takahashi and Mike Jacobs.
2016: Pittsburgh Pirates signed Eric O'Flaherty (previously with the Mets) as a free agent.
2021: New York Mets signed free agent Jonathan Villar (previously with the Toronto Blue Jays).

Random Met Player

Carlos Baerga

Born: November 4, 1968 (Santurce, P.R.)
Years with Mets: 1996–1998

Mets Career Stats:

Games Played: 306
Home Runs: 18
RBIs: 116
Batting Average: .267
Runs Scored: 104
Stolen Bases: 2

Trivia Question of The Day:

Who is widely known as responsible for bringing National League baseball back to New York after the departure of the Dodgers and Giants?

Subscribe to leave comment with your answer. The answer will be posted in tomorrow's Amazin' Daily Briefing!

Trivia Answer (February 10th)

During the 2019 season, reports indicated that Noah Syndergaard preferred not to have Wilson Ramos as his catcher. Syndergaard was believed to be more comfortable pitching to Tomas Nido due to his stronger defensive skills and pitch framing. However, the Mets often stuck with Ramos because of his offensive production. This reportedly led to some tension, as Syndergaard’s performance metrics were better with other catchers behind the plate.